12.01.2001, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. “NATO doesn’t see itself as having a role in arbitrating the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations”, said in Brussels NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson replying to the question of Mediamax.
Lord Robertson stressed that “Turkey is one of 19 independent, sovereign and democratic members of NATO”. Armenia and Turkey are members of the Council of Euro-Atlantic Partnership (CEAP) and NATO Program “Partnership for Peace” (PfP), which provides the opportunity for a lot of many regional problems to be debated, NATO Secretary General said.
In reply to the question of Mediamax concerning Turkey’s frequent threatening statements, addressed to Armenia, and their the correspondence to NATO policy, George Robertson said: “I can’t agree with such criticism towards Turkey. I know the leadership and the people of this country and I don’t think they are interested in fanning any regional conflicts”.
“We can’t control the foreign policy of our member-states. Besides, it’s practically unreal. For instance, how can I tell Condoleeza Rise (Adviser of the U.S. President Bush on national security) how U.S. should develop its relations with Northern Korea or India! It would be indecent and useless of me”, Robertson stressed.
George Robertson will start his visit to Yerevan on Monday, January 15. -0-
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